Baghdad International Airport

Baghdad International Airport is Iraq 's largest airport, located in a suburb about 10 miles west of Baghdad.

History

Pre-1991
Baghdad International Airport was constructed with the assistance
of French firms between 1979 and 1982. It was designed to
accommodate both civil and military operations, and can
handle up to 7.5 million passengers per year in aircraft
of all sizes.

It is the hub for Iraq 's international airline, Iraqi Airways,
and it was once served by several other international airlines.

1991-2003 Most of Baghdad 's civil operations stopped in
1991, when the United Nations imposed restrictions on Iraq
after the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait during the Persian Gulf
War. Due to the no-fly zone imposed on Iraq by the United
States and the United Kingdom , Iraqi Airways was only able
to continue domestic flights for limited periods. Internationally,
Baghdad was only able to receive occasional charter flights
carrying medicine, aid workers, and government officials.

2003- Current status

June 2003. Terminal C, one of three gate areas, has been spruced up with new potted plants and polished floors. The duty-free shop has reopened as well.